Portable projector assembly



Oct; 31, 1944. c. H. HARRIS arm. 2,351,398

' I PORTABLE PROJECTOR ASSEMBL? Filed NOV. 3, 1941 j 3 v C/mfor H Harris7 John N Graef Patented Oct. 31, 1944 PORTABLE PROJECTOR ASSEMBLY,Cllnton H. Harris and John N. Graei', Ann Arbor,

Micla, asslgnors to Argus, lncorporated, a corporation of MichiganApplication November 3, 1941, Serial No. 417,688

12 Claims.

-lation for projecting and viewin Pictures.

It is a major object of the invention to provide an inexpensive,lightweight, self-contained portable projector assembly which embodiesnovel structural details for holding and locating projection apparatusin condition for carrying about or for picture projecting and is easilyand quickly set up for projecting and viewing pictlll'ES.

A further object of the invention is to provide an openable portableprojector carrying case having novel arrangements for holding the caseopen and shifting and holding the projector in alignment with a viewingscreen carried by the open case which thereby supports the projector andscreen in operative relation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel portableprojector assembly wherein a special carrying case comprising a pair ofhingedly connected sections has a viewing screen fixedly mounted on onesection and a projector unit slidably carried on the other. section.

A further object of the invention is to provide a portable projectorassembly having a carrying case of novel construction wherein a pictureprojector is carried on a shiftable support within the case and thesupport is provided with selectively operable levelling mechanism.

Further objects of the invention will presently appear as thedescription proceeds in connection with the appended claims and theannexed drawing in which Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in sectionof a preferred embodiment of the portable projector assembly of myinvention with the parts in carrying condition and with the projectorand slide carrier inside the case.

. Figure 2 151811 elevation partly in section illustrating-:theprojector assembly in picture projecting and:yiewing-condition with thecarrying case held open -an'dthe projector shifted to locate it at theproper-distance from the screen.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the bottom section ofthe carrying case,the projector and its slidable support plate being omitted.

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the case bottom section of Figure 3,illustrating especially the grooved slide guide for the projectorsupport plate; a

Our portable projector assembly comprises a carrying case. the body ofwhich is indicated at I'll, provided with a removable end section II'which is clamped to body ill by a plurality of suitable manuallyreleasable clamps, one 0! which is indicated at l2, when the-assembly isin carrying-condition as in Figure 1. As shown at l2 in Figure 1, thewalls of body l0 and end section II have cooperating interfitting deeplybevelled edges which guide and assist quick assembly of the body and endsection, and aid the clamps in holding these parts together while theassembly is being carried about.

Endsection ll comprises a relatively shallow tray fitted with aplurality of intersecting walls It and It providing a large number ofcompartments for holding picture slides. Figure 1, the outer end wall Itof section ii is provided with comer buttons l6 for supporting it as atray when removed from the casing body and placed on the table besidethe assembly of Figure 2 so as to be, convenient to the projectoroperator.

Casing body l0 comprises a top'wall II, a closure end wall l8, a bottomwall l9 and a pair of side walls 20 and 2|. A carrying handle 22 issecured to topwall 11 in a suitable manner. Top wall ll, end wall l8 andthe side walls of the easing are rigidly secured together and comprisewhat will be referred to as the upper section of the casing. Thissection may comprise an integral shell if desired and it is plvotallysecured, as by hinge 23, to one end of bottom wall I9 which comprisesthe lower section of the casing. Wall i9 is provided with corner supportbuttons 24 and fits snugly and telescopingly between the lower ends ofthe casing side walls (Figure 4) with the axis The upper left-handcorner of the casing body is bridged by an inclined bracket 25 extendingrigidly between walls I! and I8. A reflector 26 of any suitable typehaving its reflecting surface facing into the interior of the body issecurely fastened upon bracket 25. Preferably reflector 28 is simply aninexpensive plane mirror held along its edges. If desired, end wall l8may be inclined at the angle of bracket 23 so as .to eliminate bracket25 and reflector 26 mounted directly on the inner face of wall l8.

Opposite wall l8, the other end of casing body It is closed by a groundglass viewing screen 21 which is preferably seated in grooves cut intothe As shown in of hinge 23 well below wall N to permit the sections topivot freely about the hinge.

interior surfaces of the top and side walls and held therein by asimilarly grooved ledge 28 extending between the lower ends of the sidewalls adjacent joint i2. Ledge 28 is made rigid with the side walls sothat it braces the open end of the upper casing body section, and itrests on the upper surface of wall l8 when the parts are folded as inFigure 1.

A metal strip 28 extends along the inner side of ledge 28, being securedthereto as by screws 38. At its opposite ends, strip 29 is formed withrearwardly bent arms 3| which are secured as by screws 32 to side walls28 and 2 respectively. As shown in Figure 2, one arm 3| is formed at itsinner end with an inwardly turned integral stop member 33 extending ashort distance into the interior of the casing.

Referring to Figure 4, bottom wall is has rigidly secured thereto atopposite side edges a pair of upstanding longitudinal plates 34 and 35.shown in Figures 1 and 2 these plates are formed with horizontal ledges35 and 31 of the same height and ledge 31 which is on the same side ofthe assembly as stop member 33 carries a short.

longitudinally slidable rigid catch bar 38. As shown in Figures 3 and 4,catch bar 38 comprises a. small metal angle having an upstanding leg 38and 'a horizontal leg 48 formed with spaced longitudinal slots 4| and42. Suitable screws 43 and 44 on ledge 31 pass through slots 4| and 42and, although headed to prevent detachment of bar 38 from plate 35,these screws cooperate with slots 42 to provide a. loose slideconnection enabling catch bar 38 to be shifted between the retractedposition of Fig re 2 and the advanced position illustrated in dottedlines in Figures 2 and 3. Plates 34 and 35 are formed with inclinedfaces 45 and 46 respectively leading from ledges 38 and 31 downwardly topoints adjacent hinge 23.

Inter-lorly of plates 34 and 35, wall |9 is provided with a pair oflongitudinal guide members 41 and 48 formed with guide grooves 49 and 58facing each other. Above members 41 and 48, plates 34 and 35 havesecured thereto a pair of blocks and 52 bearing T-shaped socketformations 53 and 54, the purpose of which will later be described.

A support plate 55, preferably comprising a flat rectangular board, hasits side edges suitably fitted within grooves 49 and 50 whereby it isslidable longitudinall of the casing body. At its outer end, plate 55 isformed with a central aperture 58 provided with an internally threadedmetal collar 51 adapted to receive a levelling screw 58 having spacedsimilarly threaded portions 58 and 8|, a lower end button 82 and aknurled top 63. Plate 55 is provided substantially at its center with astud receiving aperture 64.

Plate 55 carries a. complete picture projection unit comprising a base55' provided with corner leg supports 88. allamp house 81, a'removableslide carrier 58 and a lens barrel 58 collapsible into boss H, the unitresting thereupon on legs 58 and being secured against movement thereonbystud 12 which extends through aperture 54 into threaded engagementwith a suitable fitting when not in use (see Figure 1). Alternatively afilm carrier having a socket similar to socket 18 may be mounted forprojection or stored on blocks 5| or 52. Since the nature of theprojector mounted on plate 55 does not form part of the presentinvention, further description thereof is threaded portion 6| withcollar 51. Slide holder.

deemed unnecessary, it being suflicient to state that any projector ofsuitable size can be used.

With the parts in carrying condition as in Figure 1, plate 55 and theprojector thereon are housed and protected by casing body l8. Endsection closes the open end of the casing body to thereby protect screen21 against dirt and injury, and it also serves to hold the upper andlower hinged sections of casing body in in the folded position ofFigure 1. If desired, an auxiliary latch may be provided for holdingwall i8 to the upper section of body It, but as a practical matte wehave found the deep bevelled joint l2 and the fastening members i2 to besufficient.

Under the conditions 01' Figure 1, levelling screw 58 is positively heldin its upper inoperative position where it clears wall i8 and cannotinterfere with sliding of plate 55, by engagement of 58 is carried onblock 52 as shown in Figure 1. When it is desired to use the assembly,the

case is laid on a flat topped table or like platform, supported onbuttons 24. The fastenings I2 are first released, and end section II isremoved and placed upright on buttons i8 beside the body of the case.

Then the upper section of case body I8 is swung upwardly about hinge 23,wall l9 remaining on the table top and being held there mainly by theweight of the projector, until stop member 33 is above catch bar 38. Atthis point, the operator simply reaches in to slide bar 38 to itsforemost position of Figure 2', and then allows the raised upper sectionto drop gently back toward the table until stop member 33, whichnormally clears the catch bar in the. position of Figure l, engages leg38 of the catch bar to there- .by positively maintain the upper bodysection at a selected angle (about 30) to the horizontal. Thispositively and automatically locates and maintains the viewing screen atabout 60 to the horizontal projector axis. Because of the oflsetlocation of hinge 23, it is possible to tilt the upper section backuntil end wall l8 rests flat on the table where the upper section willmaintain itselfupright to expose the projector and other parts withinthe casing to handling by the operator.

Plate 55 is then slid rearwardly partially out of the easing into theposition of Figure 2, wherein its front end is supported by wall I! andits rear end is supported by screw 58 which has been dropped untilbutton 52 contacts the table top and threaded portion 59 is engaged withcollar 51. By manipulating levelling screw 58, the rear end of plate 55can be adjustably supported until lens barrel 88 is horizontal. Afterplate 55 has been levelled, slide carrier 68 is mounted on boss 1| andlens barrel 8!! is manipulated until the projected image is focusedclearly on screen 21, there to be viewed by an observer facing right toleft in Figure 2.

Reflector 28'is of sufficient size and disposed 2,sa1,ses

essential characteristics thereof. .The present embodiment is thereforeto be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive,the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims ratherthan by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within themeaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended tobembraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States LettersPatent is:

1. A portable projector casing comprising a housing; a base operative tosupport a projector in an inoperative position' entirely within saidhousing or in an operative position at least partially outside of saidhousing; said housing having a size such that when closed with said basea projector in inoperative position on said base obstructs the spacebetween the ends of said housing; a hinge connection between one end ofsaid housing and said base; a reflector within said housing at the hingeend thereof; and a screen in the opposite end of said housing; saidhousing being tiltable relative to said base about said hinge connectionto move said opposite end thereof out of the path of a projector whenmoved between said operative and said inoperative projector position.

2. A portable projector casing comprising a base operative to support aprojector; a housing of a size such that a projector mounted on saidbase obstructsthe space between the ends thereof, operatively connectedto said base by a hinge connection at one end thereof closable with saidbase to enclose a projector thereon; a reflector at the hinged end ofsaid housing; a screen in the opposite end thereof; said housing beingtiltable relative to said base to move said screen to an operativeposition above the projector; and means on said base operative tosupport said projector either within said housing or in a position clearof the space between said reflector and said screen when said housing intilted relative to said base.

3. A portable projector casing comprising substantially parallel top andbottom walls, side walls and at least one end wall, said end wall beingrigidly secured to said top and side walls; a reflector adjacent saidone end wall and a screen at the opposite end of said casing, saidcasing being of a size such that a projector therein obstructs the spacebetween said reflector and said screen; means pivotally connecting saidone end wall to said bottom wall so that said top, side and end wallsmay be rocked as a unit to move said screen to a position above thespace obstructed by said projector without disturbing the fixedrelationship between said reflector and said screen; and means connectedwith said bottom wall supporting said projector in an operative positionentirely clear of the space between said reflector and said screen whensaid screen is raised.

4. A portable projector casing comprising three unitary parts whereinone of said parts constitutes a base supporting a projector; a secondpart comprises a housing cooperating with said base to enclose theprojector and carrying a 76 reflector at one end and a screen at theopposite end, the. size of said housing being such that the projectorobstructs the space between said reflector and said screen when saidhousing is closed on said base; and said third part comprises aremovable end portion operative to cover said screen and secure saidhousing in closed relationship on said base when said third part isoperatively associated in closing relationship with corresponding endsof said housing and said base; means pivotally connecting said housingto said base for tilting movement about an axis located adjacent saidreflector to move said screen to a position above the space obstructedby said projector; and means i'or'supporting said projector on saidbasein a position clear of the space be. tween said reflector and saidscreen when said housing is tilted.

5. In a portable projector assembly, a casing comprising a body portionmade up of pivotally interconnected sections adapted to house aprojector unit, said pivotal connection being disposed adjacent one endof the casing, a translucent screen adjacent the other end of saidcasing, and a removable end section comprising a protective cover forsaid other end of said casing, said body portion and end section havingcoextensive walls provided with interengaging formations of such. naturethat said end section maintains said pivotally connected body sectionsin closed position when the former is fastened in place on said bodyportion.

6. In the portable projector assembly defined in claim 5, saidinterengaglng formations comprising telescoping beveled edges on thecontacting walls of said body portion and end section.

7. In a portable projector assembly, an openable casing body comprisingpivotally interconnected upper and lower sections, said lower section'including a bottom wall oi. said casing body and. said upper sectionincluding the remaining walls of said casing body, a projector supportslidably mounted on said lower section and a projector unit on saidsupport, a translucent screen at one end or said upper section and areflector at the other end of said upper section, and cooperating meanson said sections maintaining said casing body open with said sectionsdisposed in predetermined angular relation so that said reflectordirects the projected image onto said screen.

8. In a portable projector assembly, a casing body comprising pivotallyinterconnected upper and lower sections, the lower section including abottom wall Of said casing body and serving as a projector support baseand the upper section including the remaining walls of said casing bodyand carrying a translucent screen, a rigid stop member on said uppersection,. and a shiftable catch on said lower section adapted to engagesaid stop member and hold the sections in predetermined angulardisplacement.

9. In a portable projector assembly, an openable casing body comprisinga lower section carrying a shiftable projector support pivotallyconnected to an upper screen-carrying section, a rigid stop member onthe upper section, an upstanding member on the lower section, and aloosely slidable catch on said upstanding member adapted to be shiftedinto the path of said stop member to maintain the casing body open withsaid sections in predetermined angular displacement.

10. In a projector assembly, an openable casing body comprisingpivotally interconnected upper and lower sections, said lower sectionbeing adapted -to be placed on a table top or like platform. awprojector support member slidably mounted on said lower sectionvadaptedto lie wholly within the casing body when the latter is closed and to beextended a substantial distance outwardly of said casing body with itstrailing end supported by said lower section when the casing body isopen, and means at the leading end of said member adapted to rest onsaid platform for supporting said leading end of said member.

11. In the projector device defined in claim 10. said means at theleading end of said member comprising an adjustable levelling devicecarried by said member.

12. In a projector assembly, a base adapted to be placed on a table topor like platform; a pro- Jeetor support memberslidably mounted on saidbase and adapted to be extended a substantial distance outwardly of saidbase with its trailing end supported by said base; and an adjustableleveling screw carried by said member and having a formation engageablewith said member CLINTON H. mama. JOHN x. (mm.

